Truck engine compartment ladder

ABSTRACT

An truck engine compartment ladder comprising a body with at least one vertical member of sufficient strength, length, width and depth to accomplish support of the weight of an average or above average person, fixed or pivoted step(s) of at least one horizontal member of sufficient strength, length, width and depth to accomplish support of the weight of an average or above average person, and an attachment means employed for attaching the ladder (either permanently or temporarily) to the truck frame (chassis) sufficient to accomplish support of the weight of an average or above average person. The ladder allows access to the truck engine compartment, front area of the truck, front components of the truck, windshield(s), windshield wiper(s) and top running light(s) of trucks, including tractor(s) (tractor(s) not connected and when connected to trailers), tractor-trailers and tractor-trailer-type trucks.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to ladders used by operators oflarge trucks. The invention particularly relates to ladders used ontractor-trailer type trucks, as they are commonly referred to in thetrucking industry. The invention more particularly relates to laddersused to access the truck engine compartment, front area of the truck,front components of the truck, windshield(s), windshield wiper(s) andtop running light(s) of trucks, including but not limited to tractor(s)(tractor(s) not connected and when connected to trailer(s)),tractor-trailers and tractor-trailer-type trucks (sometimes known in theUnited States as Class 8 type trucks). Note: (s) denotes either singularor plural.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Ladders have been used regularly on trucks for access to the inside,top, and outside of the truck cab, truck bed or truck-trailer for manyyears. Truck engine compartments, however, have been lacking in a ladderusable to allow the operator or mechanic access to the engine forinspection or servicing. Additionally, the trucking industry lacks aconvenient means for an operator or mechanic to access the truckwindshield and other components on the front of the truck. This isespecially important for safety reasons. Driving in inclement weatherrequires cleaning of the truck windshield often to ensure clear drivervision of the road ahead and avoid accidents. None of the prior artaddresses or solves this problem. This new and useful truck enginecompartment ladder invention solves these trucking industry problems ina safe and economical manner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to help prevent truck accidents byallowing operators and mechanics safe and easy access to the truckwindshield(s), windshield wiper(s), top running light(s) and other frontareas of trucks for cleaning, repair, service, modification, fabricationor maintenance prior to operation.

It is another object of the invention to allow truck operators ormechanics to gain safe and easy access to the top of the truck engineand engine compartment for cleaning, maintenance, service, modification,rebuilding, fabrication or repair.

It is a further object of the present invention to allow the ladder tobe functional with minimal input from the operator regardless of desiredlocation on or in the truck engine compartment, chassis or frame.

The objects of this invention are achieved and the present inventionprovides a new and useful article of manufacture and method for usecomprising an truck engine compartment ladder, (the preferred embodimentof which is disclosed in all 8 drawings and Figures) which can beintegrated into, attached or used anywhere in or on the truck enginecompartment but preferably integrated into or attached to the truckchassis or frame.

This invention is compact and of simple construction that is easy tomake and use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of the truck engine compartment ladder.

FIG. 2 is a left side view of the truck engine compartment ladder.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the front of the truck enginecompartment ladder.

FIG. 4 is a back view of the truck engine compartment ladder.

FIG. 5 is a right side view of the truck engine compartment ladder.

FIG. 6 depicts a view of the truck engine compartment ladder attached tothe truck frame (chassis) with step(s) pivoted open and depicts thetypical method of use of the truck engine compartment ladder.

FIG. 7 is a front view of the truck engine compartment ladder with thesteps pivoted closed and retainer lock(s) engaged to reduce the sideprofile of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a left side view of the truck engine compartment ladder withthe step(s) pivoted closed and the retainer lock(s) engaged to reducethe side profile of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The apparatus of the invention is conveniently fabricated byconventional and standard methods using conventional and standardmaterials common in the trucking and metal fabrication industries.

For example, the truck engine compartment ladder (“the ladder”) may befabricated from aluminum, stainless steel or like metals or any othersuitable material. The ladder may also be fabricated from non-metallicmaterials for lighter weight and corrosion resistance. Thesesnon-metallic materials include, among others, conventional polymers suchas, for example, polystyrene, polycarbonate, polyurethane, polyethylene,phenol formaldehyde resins, polybutylene, Teflon and the like. Theladder and attachment means employed for attaching the ladder to thetruck may be made of any of the above-referenced materials oradditionally any type of strap, wire, cord, line, rope or webbing usingDacron, Spectra, nylon and similar materials, among others. Theseabove-mentioned materials are examples and do not limit the types ofmaterials that can be used to make and use the ladder; any and allsuitable materials may be used. The components of the ladder may beintegrated together by standards means such as welding, bolting, gluing,riveting, sewing or any other suitable means. The ladder may also becompletely flexible, such as like a rope-ladder.

The apparatus and method of using the invention will now be furtherdescribed and exemplified by reference to the various specificembodiments set forth in the drawings. FIG. 1 through FIG. 8 are viewsof the preferred embodiment and best mode of the invention.

Again referring to all Figures, the assembly and fabrication of thepreferred embodiment of the invention will be described in detail. Theladder is assembled and fabricated from standard materials and methodsnow used in the appropriate industries. Typically, the ladder is analuminum body and step(s) either solidly connected or pivotallyconnected to the body. The body is at least one vertical member ofsufficient strength, length, width and depth to accomplish support ofthe weight of an average or above average person. The step(s) are atleast one horizontal member sufficiently integrated into the verticalmember of sufficient strength, length, width and depth to accomplishsupport of the weight of an average or above average person. Optionally,the steps may be made of slip-resistant design such as serrated teethintegrated into the top surface of the step(s). Or, a slip-resistantfinish may be applied to the top surface of the step(s). The attachmentmeans employed for attaching the ladder to the truck is sufficient toaccomplish support of the weight of an average or above average person.Though the attachment means may be located anywhere on the ladder, thepreferred attachment means is a hook-shaped rigid top of the verticalmember(s) to hook onto and hang from the truck frame (chassis) forsupport. The ladder is typically fabricated from aluminum, machinedusing conventional machine-shop techniques such as drilling, cutting,smoothing, welding, bolting and polishing. The ladder is shown with itsdesign, functional aspects and relationship of components in scalableform in all of the drawings combined.

Now the method of making the ladder in the preferred embodiment and bestmode will be described in detail. Referring to all of the drawings,first, suitable metal angle stock is cut to the appropriate length andwelded together to form the left rail 1 from the cut metal angle piecesof the left top rail 2 and the left side rail 3. The right rail 4 issimilarly fabricated from the cut metal angle pieces of the right toprail 5 and the right side rail 6. Both rails are placed parallel to eachother on a work table with the top rails vertically oriented, held bytemporary clamps if necessary. Then, another piece of suitable metalangle stock is cut to the appropriate length to form the bottom support7 and welded perpendicular to and connecting the bottom ends of the twoparallel left 1 and right 4 rails. Another piece of suitable metal anglestock is cut to the appropriate length to form the rear frame retainer 8and welded perpendicular to and connecting the ends of the left andright top rails (2 & 5), making a rigid body of all welded pieces. Thestep(s) 9 are made from suitable metal angle cut and welded to make arectangular step-base and non-slip metal plate welded on top of therectangular step-base. Pivot pin(s) 10 are welded on at the back of thestep(s) 9 and upright retainer lock(s) 11 are welded on at the front ofthe step(s) 9. The step pivot hole(s) 12 and upright retainer hole(s) 13are drilled into the side rails (3 & 6) at the appropriate locations andthe step(s) 9 with pivot pin(s) 10 are integrated into the step pivothole(s) 12 with rotational freedom. The step support(s) 14 are cut fromsuitable metal flat stock and welded perpendicular to and onto the siderails (3 & 6) in the proper location(s). Next, the tightening bolthole(s) 15 are drilled into the top rails (2 & 5) in the proper locationand the tightening nut(s) 16 are tacked welded directly on top of and inline with the tightening bolt hole(s) 15. The tightening bolt(s) 17(preferably with wing-nut type heads for hand tightening) are insertedand threaded into and the tightening nut(s) 16. To make clear theabove-referenced orientations (top, bottom, left, right, front and back)of the ladder, FIG. 1 is labeled top 18, bottom 19, left 20, right 21and FIG. 2 is labeled front 22 and back 23.

To use the ladder in the preferred embodiment and best mode, it isunstowed and attached by the operator to the truck frame or chassis byhanging the hook-shaped rigid top rail(s) (2 & 5) and rear frameretainer 8 onto and hang from the truck frame (chassis) for support,then the tightening bolt(s) 17 tightened to secure the attachment. Theupright container lock(s) 11 are withdrawn from the upright retainerholes 13 and the step(s) 9 are rotated (90) ninety degrees from verticalto horizontal orientation and contact the step support(s) 14. This isdepicted in FIG. 6 in the “steps open” mode. The operator then climbsthe step(s) 9 for access to the truck engine, truck engine compartmentand other front area of the truck. Once access is achieved by theforegoing, the operator reverses the above-described sequence of use toremove and stow the ladder. One embodiment may have steps rigidlyattached to the rail(s) and always remain “open.” Alternately, theladder may be permanently attached to the truck frame (chassis) witheither non-movable step(s) already in the open position for use orstep(s) that pivot and may be closed or opened for use as needed aspreviously described. In another embodiment, only one vertical rail maybe used for support of at least one step (either fixed or pivotalstep(s) integrated into the vertical rail with rotational freedom fromabout (0) zero degrees (vertical) to about (90) ninety degrees(horizontal) as previously described) to effect a more narrow andthinner ladder profile for use in smaller truck engine compartments.

As will be apparent to persons skilled in the art, such as a truckdriver, truck driver with a United States Commercial Driver's License(CDL), truck mechanic, welder or machinist, various modifications andadaptations of the structure and method of use above-described willbecome readily apparent without departure from the spirit and scope ofthe invention, the scope of which is defined in the claims. Although theforegoing invention has been described in detail by way of illustrationand example, it will be understood that the present invention is notlimited to the particular description and specific embodiments describedbut may comprise any combination of the above elements and variationsthereof, many of which will be obvious to those skilled in the art.Additionally, the acts and actions of fabricating, assembling, using,and maintaining the preferred embodiment of this invention are wellknown by those skilled in the art. Instead, the invention is limited anddefined solely by the following claims.

The present embodiment is therefore to be considered in all respects asillustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention beingindicated by the following claims rather than by the foregoingdescription, and all changes which come within the meaning and range ofequivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

1. An article of manufacture (truck engine compartment ladder)comprising: at least one vertical or nearly vertical member, and; atleast one horizontal or nearly horizontal member integrated into thevertical member to further comprise at least one step, and; anattachment means integrated into the vertical member such that when thevertical member is attached via the attachment means into, in or on atruck engine compartment at an appropriate location, the vertical ornearly vertical and horizontal or nearly horizontal members function asa ladder with at least one step to allow an operator to climb up andaccess the truck engine compartment, truck engine, truck windshield(s),windshield wiper(s), top running light(s) and other front areas of thetruck.
 2. The ladder of claim 1 wherein the horizontal or nearlyhorizontal member comprising the step has a non-slip surface disposed onor into the top surface.
 3. The ladder of claim 1 wherein the horizontalor nearly horizontal member comprising the step is pivotally integratedinto the vertical or nearly vertical member with rotational freedom ofabout 90 degrees of arc to allow the horizontal or nearly horizontalmember to rotate up parallel or nearly parallel to the vertical ornearly vertical member and the step has a means for locking andunlocking the step into or from the vertical or nearly verticalposition.
 4. The ladder of claim 1 wherein the attachment means iseither permanent or temporary.
 5. A method of using a truck enginecompartment ladder, said method comprising the steps of: (a) attachingthe ladder of claim 1 via the attachment means into, in or on a truckengine compartment at an appropriate location, either permanently ortemporarily and; (b) climbing the ladder of claim 1 to access the truckengine compartment, truck engine, truck windshield(s), windshieldwiper(s), top running light(s) and other front areas of the truck.